Box-fastener



m Model.)-

H. F. MUELLER.

BOX FASTENEEJ No. 311,910. Patented Feb. 10,1885.

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HENRY F. MOELLER, OF DAVENPORT, IOlVA.

BOX-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 311,910, dated February 10, 1885.

Application filed August 25. 1884. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY F. MOELLER, of Davenport, in the county of $cott and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in PackingGases, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to bottle-cases; and it consists in a case provided with a concealed latch of peculiar construction, having a thumb piece projecting upward through an opening in the lid, which opening is covered by the shipping tag or label, so as to prevent the box from being opened Without first removing the tag, such removal giving evidence that the box has been tampered with.

I desire here to state that I do not claim, broadly, the use of a seal or tag to cover a fastening device, nor, broadly, a spring-bolt or a concealed catch or fastening, my claim being restricted to features and details of construc tion as hereinafter stated.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved case or box; Fig. 2, a vertical transverse section taken just one side of the catch or fastening.

Bottles containing mineral waters and beverages are now generally shipped in compartment-cases provided with fastenings designed to permit the ready opening of the case. Two objections to-the ordinary constructions have, however, presented themselves: first, that the cases are frequently opened by unauthorized persons and the contents of the bottles partially or wholly removed; and, second, that no fastening yet provided has combined safety and durability to the desired degree, the boxes or cases almost invariably outlasting the fastenings, and requiring the renewal thereof from time to time.

Thebox and fastening herein described have given great satisfaction in practical use, the fastening remaining intact throughout the life of the box or case, and affording a secure fastening at all times.

In the drawings, A indicates the box or case, which is preferably divided by partitions into separate compartments or cells; and B, the cover, which is provided with cleats O on its under side, to prevent-the cover from warping and to retain it in place, the rear ends of the cleats passing under a strip, D,permanently secured to the top of the box or case, their sides resting against the inner faces of the end pieces of the box, and their ends fitting closely against the inner face of the sides of the box when the cover is in place. This arrangement avoids the necessity of hinges, which would not only add to the cost of the case, but are always liable to be broken or detached with the rough usage which such cases receive; but it also prevents the cover from shifting about, and relieves the fastening of all strain except such as may be applied to lifting the cover from the box. This is quite an import-ant consideration, as the fastening, if subjected to lateral strain, as is the case with many common forms of fastening, is liable to be opened or broken thereby.

In the cover B is formed a slot or opening, F, extending through the same, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Beneath this slot or opening F is placed the locking device consisting of metallic eyes G. in which is mounted a sliding bolt, H, encircled and urged forward by a spring, I, bearing at one end against one of the eyes G, and at the other end against a shoulder, 11, of the bolt H. The forward end of the bolt H is beveled to ride upon the keeper J, secured to the inner face of the front side of the box or case in line with the lower side of the cover when the latter is closed, and the upper side of the bolt as it stands when the lid is down is furnished with an upwardlyprojecting lug, c, which extends into slot F and rises to or nearly to the upper side thereof, as shown in Fig. 2, but which should not project above the same, it being desirable that there be no projecting part which might he accidentally struck and release thefasteningl The slot F affords easy access to the lug c without requiring the latter to be brought up to the level of the top of the box.

The operation of the device thus constructed is as follows: The bottles or other goods being placed within the box, the rear ends of cleats G are inserted beneath strip D, the cover pushed back, and its front edge dropped or pressed down upon the box, the beveled face of the bolt H riding upon and being forced back by the keeper J until in line with the under face or locking-shoulder thereof, whereupon the spring I forces the end of the bolt packing-box has been provided with cleats projecting beneath a fixed strip at the rear side of the case, and with a spring-bolt moving in guides secured to the under side of the lid, but requiring the insertion of an implement through an opening in the front of the box to withdraw the bolt. Such construction I deem undesirable because of the necessity of using such implement in opening the case, and because the case can be opened with out detection. I am further aware that a sliding lockingbolt having a lateral arm or handle has been applied to a packing-case lid or cover, and arranged to look into a vertical plate projecting from a central partition, the arm being made to fold into a recess in its guide plate when not in use, a space being left in rear of said my device that it renders the special seal and covering-plate unnecessary, that there is no possibility of the lug or arm of the bolt protruding and being accidentally moved to open the case, and that the act of applying the address-card serves also to seal the case.

While disclaiming these forms, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

The combination of box or casing A, provided with strip D and keeper J, cover B, provided with slot F and cleats 0, eyes G, secured to the under side of the cover, bolt H, mounted in said eyes, and having lug c eX- tending upward into slot F, and spring I, adapted to press the bolt forward, said parts being constructed and arranged substantially as shown and described, whereby the bolt is protected against accidental withdrawal, and adapted to be covered by'the address-card.

HENRY F. MOELLER.

Witnesses:

CARL F. HASS, JOHN C. BILLS. 

